Hyderabad: Telangana defence manufacturing capabilities are expanding rapidly, with the State aiming to become India’s leading aerospace and defence hub by 2030, Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said on Friday.
He spoke at the “MSME Spark 3.0 – Aerospace & Defence Manufacturing” conclave organised by the Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry in association with the Telangana Industries department.
The conclave took place at Taj Deccan in Hyderabad. More than 400 policymakers, defence experts, MSMEs, startups, investors and industry leaders attended the event. They discussed opportunities in the growing aerospace and defence manufacturing sector.
Uttam Kumar Reddy said Hyderabad had strengthened its position as a cost-effective aerospace destination. He said defence laboratories, advanced manufacturing units and a strong MSME network supported that growth. He added that nearly 1,500 MSMEs in Telangana were linked to the aerospace and defence supply chain.
Telangana defence manufacturing sector attracts MSMEs
Meanwhile, former DRDO Chairman G. Satheesh Reddy said the conclave coincided with the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor. He said the operation demonstrated India’s indigenous defence capabilities.
He also said the Defence Acquisition Council cleared proposals worth Rs.3.5 lakh crore under the Acceptance of Necessity framework. In addition, he said India aimed to achieve defence exports worth Rs.50,000 crore by 2028.
DRDO Director General Chandrika Kaushik said the Union government allocated Rs.7.85 lakh crore for defence spending. She added that authorities reserved more than 75% of capital procurement for domestic industry. According to her, the policy created major opportunities for MSMEs and startups.
She further said DRDO signed more than 2,200 technology licensing agreements. It also offered over 750 patents royalty-free to support indigenous innovation.
FTCCI President R. Ravi Kumar said the conclave aimed to connect MSMEs and startups with new opportunities in defence manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The event also featured technical sessions on procurement reforms, funding support, investment opportunities and indigenous technology development. Representatives from DRDO, BEL, MIDHANI, Bharat Dynamics Limited, SIDBI and private defence manufacturers attended the sessions.
Leading industry partners supported the conclave. They included Hyderabad Precision Manufacturing Co. (P) Ltd., Sudhakar Pipes & Fittings, Empilot, State Bank of India, SIDBI, Dynamic Aero, Ecobliss and Dun & Bradstreet.